Bectu calls for 6 demands in the fight against bullying and harassment in Film and TV

Today, Bectu launches it’s six demands to help tackle harassment and bullying harassment in the film and TV industry.  

Six months after allegations of sexual harassment and bullying  were levelled against Noel Clarke, Bectu’s #UnseenOnScreen campaign has shown that all forms of harassment and bullying remains prevalent in the film and TV industry. 

Aimed at production companies, broadcasters and studios, the six demands seeks to prevent and address all forms of harassment and bullying. Bectu believes that if its’ six demands are met, the film & TV industry can bring about lasting change and establish a culture that has zero tolerance towards bullying and harassment. 

Bectu are calling for: 

1. All productions should hire an intimacy Coordinator to oversee consent and facilitate safe practices during scenes where intimacy is performed. Intimacy coordinators should: 

• Liaise, consult and coordinate with HODs during the preproduction phase and on set 
• Advocate for cast and crew 
• Oversee informed, specific and continued consent 
• Help to facilitate actions performed by the cast 
• Support cast and crew who feel emotionally unregulated on set during scenes with intimacy. 

2. Productions should always have a Safeguarding Officer on set to log and direct concerns, take reports of bullying and harassment and provide general support in preventing misconduct.  Safeguarding officers should be trained on workplace bullying and harassment and have a clear knowledge of a productions policy.  

3. Before a production starts, all staff, including new entrants and freelancers, should be required to undergo training on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, equal opportunities and relevant workplace policies. In addition, HODs should be encouraged to take leadership and management training. 

4. The film and TV industry must establish Clear and enforceable contractual obligations to ensure dignity at work. This should include minimum standards on working conditions that promote safe working spaces and discourage bad behaviour. 

5. The film and TV industry should establish a policy for processing complaints of bullying and harassment that has clear avenues for resolutions.  

6. The film and TV industry should establish an external reporting body to look at unresolved historical complaints. The body should initiate investigations into bullying and harassment and offer advice and assistance to victims and productions. 

Head of Philippa Childs says:  

“Broadcasters, production companies and studios must put their money where their mouth is in the fight against bullying and harassment and implement real measures that will lead to long-lasting change. Bectu’s six demands provide a blueprint for how the industry can tackle this endemic issue and assure workers in film and TV that their complaints will be taken seriously.”